AURORA, Ill., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Westell Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: WSTL) today announced it will be providing GTE's network of T1 access lines with Westell's new PROACT(TM) family of performance monitoring Network Interface Units (NIUs) and Westell's new high density PROACT/NIU mountings. PROACT delivers the industry's first NIU that implements Network Performance Report Messaging (NPRM) -- in compliance with recent ANSI T1.231 and T1.403 standards.
"T1 HiCap circuits typically transport end users' highest value traffic. By equipping these circuits with Westell's PROACT NIU, GTE will be able to offer their customers higher reliability, quicker installation and detailed performance information," stated J. Nelson, Westell President and Chief Operating Officer. "PROACT does this and more, adding a new standards compliant network performance reporting feature that saves GTE time and money by substantially reducing maintenance times should circuit trouble be detected."
The PROACT family of T1 NIUs provides a comprehensive set of maintenance loopback functions that regenerate the signal to improve clarity and strength, as needed. The performance-monitoring feature allows GTE and other telco service providers to proactively respond to circuit performance degradations before the customer experiences significant problems. The PROACT NIU continuously monitors the T1 bit stream performance in both directions of transmission and reports this information to a network test location on a real-time basis. The reporting methodology conforms to the new ANSI NPRM standard. The PROACT unit also provides a local craft port that allows telco service personnel to extract performance information locally, and perform other circuit diagnostic routines.
The PROACT family of T1 NIUs is Westell's third generation of T1 performance monitoring NIU units. Since 1991, Westell has been supplying the 3114 series of Performance Monitoring NIUs to T1 service providers. The PROACT family provides new levels of capability that enhance the performance and reliability of HiCap circuits.
Westell was also awarded GTE's Supplier of Excellence Award for quality performance in 1997. This is the third consecutive year Westell has received this award. "GTE annually conducts a supplier quality program to ensure high performance standards among its vendors, and recognizes those who succeed in providing us with materials and services of outstanding value," said Larry Henry, President, GTE Supply. Westell received its recognition as part of GTE's Chairman's Leadership Awards ceremony last month.
Westell Technologies is a holding company for Westell Inc., Westell International, Westell WorldWide Services Inc. and Conference Plus Inc. Westell Inc. is a leading worldwide innovator and manufacturer of telecommunications access products and DSL systems, with corporate headquarters in Aurora, Ill. Westell's products and systems are currently in use in over 30 countries worldwide. Westell WorldWide Services Inc. provides engineering, installation and network management services to leading network providers as well as turnkey equipment and service solutions to enterprise customers and service providers. Conference Plus Inc., is a multi-point telecommunications service bureau specializing in audio teleconferencing, multi-point video conferencing, broadcast fax, and multimedia teleconference services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell's Web site at
www.westell.com.
With 1997 revenues of more than $21 billion in 1997, GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services. In the U.S., GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless service in 17 states; nationwide long-distance and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential and mall-business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies; as well as video service in selected markets.
SOURCE Westell Technologies Inc.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: PROACT is a registered U.S. trademark of Westell
Technologies, Inc./
/CONTACT: Mark L. Meudt of Westell Technologies, 630-375-4125/
/Web site: westell.com
(WSTL GTE) |
